Apparatus for forming tubes



Sept. 4, 1951 J. w. MILLER APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBES Filed Aug. 10, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet l Qmm $6 ATTORNEY Sept. 4, 195] J. w. MILLER 2,566,423

APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBES Filed Aug. 10, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Jab/1 W. /Y/'//er ATTORNEY IIIIF mm mm m Sept. 4, 1951 J. w. MILLER APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBES l2 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 10, 1946 INVENTOR. Jo/n'r m ///'//er /2W ATTORNEY p 4, 1951 J. w. MILLER 2,566,423

APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBES Filed Aug. 10, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 170/977 ln/. MN/er M QW ATTORNEY p 1951 J. w. MILLER 2,566,423

APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBES Filed Aug. 10, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 um... mtm-af 1 I I l l Sept. 4, 1951 J. w. MILLER APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBES Filed Aug. 10. 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 Sept. 4, 1951 J. w. MILLER 2,566,423

APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBES Filed Aug. 19, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet '7 ITTEI' 1 INVENTOR. TIE/Hr W /7/'//er' BYW 0W ATTORNEY Sept. 4, 1951 J. w. MILLER APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBES l2 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aug. 10, 1946 a w a 6 G m 7 5 m a 6 K a m 6 m m 6 6 0 o 2 r Wm M a w m 2 I a a m E. 43 F M a R W. wmw i m W m z INVENTOR. 170/1 W. /7/'//er' M/%' 0. Wm

ATTORNEY Sept. 4, 1951 J. w. MILLER APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBES Filed Aug. 10, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR. Ua/m l4. /7/'//er 2W 0. zine-A ATTORNEY.

man 3m wan P 1951 J. w. MILLER 2,566,423

APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBES Filed 141g. 10, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 144 I 40, 13.9 ran TIE "l 5 WQW A TTORNEY IE-ZD- Sept. 4, 1951 .1. w. MILLER APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBES Filed Aug., 10. 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet ll INVENTOR (fob/r W /7/'//67 ATTORNE J. w: MILLER APPARATUS FOR FORMING TUBES Sept. 4, 1951 12 Shets-Sheet 12 Filed Aug. 10, 1946 mm. m a M v ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 4, 1951 2,566,423 APPARATUS non FORMING TUBES John W. Miller, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Miami Industries, Inc., Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August 10, 1946, Serial No. 689,638

This invention relates to apparatus for forming tubing and more especially to the formation of seamed tubing from sheet metal.

The invention ooniprehends apparatus for configurating the edge portions of strips of sheet metal and forming the configuratcd strips to substantially circular cross section, and interlocking the edge formations of the strip to provide a lock-seam tube.

The invention embraces the provision of apparatus for forming seamed tube constructions especially usable as components of muflier assemblies and wherein the finished tube will be of uniform cross sectional dimension throughout its length.

An object of the invention resides in the provision of a tube forming apparatus wherein substantially fiat strips of material are fed into the machine and wherein the latter automaticaly per forms a sequence of operations upon .eachstrip whereby the same is configurated to closed tubular formation and the finished tube is extruded or ejected from the machine.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of anapparatus embodying a plurality of forming rolls adapted to pro-configurate the edge portions of strips of sheet metalto preform the elements of an interlocking joint, the machine embodying means for automatically conveying the pre-configurated strips of metal to a bending and seam forming station, at which station automaticaly operated means bends the strip to a closed configuration and interlocks the pre -configurated edges to produce a seamed. tube of accurate cross sectional dimension throughout the length of the tube.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of an apparatus for fabricating lockseam tubing wherein the multi-thickness of metal forming the lock-seam or joint projects or extends interiorly of the formed tube, thus providing a substantially smooth uninterrupted exterior surface for the tube.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a, machine for forming lock-seam tubing embodying means of adjustment for the various mechanisms, whereby the machine or apparatns is rendered adaptable for producing tubes of various sizes.

Another object of the invention resides in apparatus for forming lengths of tubing from sheet metal, wherein the edges of the strips are preformed and wherein the inter--1ocking of the preformed edges and the formation of the lock-seam is accomplished in an operation simultaneously Claims. (Cl. 113-34) eifected throughout the full length of the strip whereby the finished tube is of uniform diameter or dimension throughout its length.

A further object of the invention resides in a machine of this character in which electrically energized means and fluid under pressure are used as the motivating forces for automatically carrying on the sever l operations required in forming a tube construction, the machine embodying electrical circuit control and fluid control devices intercalated to automatically carry out the various operations in proper sequence.

Still a further object of the invention resides in the provision of a machine for forming lockseam tubing wherein forming elements are con trolled by a plurality of cam means arranged to exert comparatively high pressures upon the strip being formed to tubular configuration whereby a high degree of accuracy for the finished tube is assured.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to :the ar rangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combination of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawing of a form of the invention which may be preferred, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the machine of my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation view showing a portion. of the machine;

Figure 3 is "a top plan view of a portion of the machine shown in Figure 2;

Figure-4 is a side elevation view of another portion of the machine, part of the housing being shown in cross section;

Figure 5 is an end elevation view of the machine;

Figure 6 is an end elevational view of the opposite end of the machine, the View being taken substantially on the"line B--5 of Figure 1;

Figure? is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line l-l of Figure i:

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail elevational view showing the forming roll unit and driving mechanism therefor;

Figure 9 is a top plan View of the construction shown in Figure 8:

Figure 10 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially on the line l9l3 of Figure 4;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary detail sectional view 3 taken substantially on the lin of Figure 4;

Figure 12 is a plan view, the housing being shown in section, of the tube forming station;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially on the line |3|3 of Figure 14;

Figure 14 is a Sectional view taken substantially on the line |4|4 of Figure 12;

Figurel is a semi-diagrammatic View showing the first step in the method of forming edge portions of the metal strip or blank;

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic view showing a further step in the operation;

Figure 17 is a diagrammatic view showing a further step in the operation;

Figur 18 is a diagrammatic view showing a further step in the operation;

Figure 19 is an isometric view of the strip or blank having formed edge portions after passing through the forming rolls;

Figure 20 is an end view showing the blank bent to cylindrical configuration with the edge portions in an initial interlocking position;

Figure 21 is a view similar to Figure 20, showing the finished tube with the seam completely formed and locked;

obtain a tubular construction which is of uniform cross sectional dimension throughout its length, which disadvantages have been eliminat- -ed through the employment of my method and I5, which are secured to the frame portion |2 of Figure 22 is a schematic view-or diagram illustrating the mechanism actuating and controlling devices and circuits therefor;

Figure 23 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 23--23 of Figure 12;

Figure 24 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 2424 of Figure 2 showing the arrangement of adjusting the feed and form roll mechanism;

' Figure 25 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the clutch controlling arm and electrically energized means actuating the same, and

Figure 26 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 26-26 of Figure 4.

While I haveillustrated the method of my invention for forming seamed tubing from sheet metal, and the apparatus of my invention for carrying out the said method it is to be understood that I contemplate the utilization of the method and apparatus of my invention for fabrieating or producing articles of manufacture other than the articles specifically disclosed, or where ever the same may be found to have utility.

In the utilization of the embodiment of my invention disclosed my improved method of forming lengths of tubing from flat sheet metal strips or blanks consists in the conveying fiat strips of sheet metal successively into operative engagement with a plurality of forming rolls or other means adapted and arranged to configurate the edge portions of a sheet metal strip to the formation illustrated in Figure 19. The strip having its edges so configurated is then conveyed to a bending and seaming mechanism or station where the strip is bent or formed to the configuration i1- lustrated in Figure 20, subsequent fixation or completion of the lock-seam bein effected whereby the finished tubular construction is formed with a smooth or uninterrupted exterior surface, as particularly exemplified in Figure 21. Through the utilization of my method, and the apparatus for carrying out the method which will be herein after described, I amenabled to produce finished tubular constructions which are of uniform cross sectional configuration throughout their lengths. In prior known methods of lock-seam tubing, it has been heretofore difficult, if not impossible, to

the machine by means of bolts IS. The frame portions II and I2 are formed with pad portions I9 and 20 adapted to rest upon a suitable floor or other support.

The frame portion I is provided with two uniplanar surfaces 2| and 22, which are of different levels as shown in Figure 2. Mounted upon the surface 2|, being the lower level, is a base or supporting plate 23. The upper portion of frame member adjacent surface 2! is provided with a pair of parallel recesses or grooves adapted to receive and accommodate keys or ways 24, the same being fixedly secured by screws or other suitable means to the frame casting I I, The base plate 23 is reciprocally formed with recesses to snugly yet slidably accommodate the ways 24 so that the base plate may be adjusted in a transverse direction of the machine. Mounted upon the base plate 23 is a bracket or member 21, a rear wall of which is formed with a boss portion 28 bored to receive a hardened bushing 29, which is fixedly secured by suitable means in the boss portion 28. The bushing 29 is bored and threaded to receive a threaded member 3|, the latter having an unthreaded or smooth portion 32, which extends through a bushing 33 mounted in a cylindrical opening formed in a bracket 35. The bracket 35 is relatively stationary and is secured to the frame portion H by suitable means of screws 34. Disposed at either side of the bracket 35 and surrounding the smooth portion 32 of member 3| are the collars 36, which are fixedly secured thereto by means of dowels 31. A pro- J'ecting portion 38 of member 3| is of polygonal shape and adapted to receive a crank or other suitable manipulating tool (not shown). By rotating member 3| through the application of a crank to member 38, member 3| remains relatively stationary and moves the member 21 and the base plate 23 transversely of the machine, this adjustment being utilized for purposes to be hereinafter explained.

Mounted upon the base plate 23 at the forward portion thereof is a motor supporting bracket 42, upon which is mounted an electrically energizable motor-43. The bracket 42 is fixedly secured to the plate 23 by means of bolts 45, the motor support 42 being spaced from plate 23 by means of blocks 46. Also associated with the motor 43 is an enclosure or housing 49, in which is contained reduction gearing connected to and adapted to be driven by the motor 43. A shaft 5|] extends from the housing 49 and is driven through the gearing (not shown) contained in the housing 49, the shaft 50 being adapted to drive a plurality of metal forming rolls. The housing 49 is formed with a depending bracket portion 52, which rests upon a spacing block 53 carried upon the base plate 23, the bracket 52 being secured to block 53 by means of screws 54.

Means are provided for supporting a strip or :asshown in Figure 2.

the upright struts 65.

with transversely extending slots iii and "H.

blank of material prior to its introduction into the forming rolls for processing. This means is "inclusive of a strip supporting table 59 formed of plates :60 and El, which are supported by 1ongitudinally extending bars 62 and 63 welded or otherwise secured to the lower surface of the plates 60 and 61. The table construction for supporting the strips of sheet metal is supported by means of a skeleton metal frame which includes a pair of vertical struts being joined by means of a transversely extending member or bar 66, which is secured to the upright struts 65 by welding or other suitable means. As shown in Figure 5, the transverse bar 66 supports the inner ends of the bars 62 and '53. The rear extremities of bars 62 and63 are welded to atransversely extending member 68.01 L-shaped cross section, as shown in Figure 2. The bar 68 and the lower extremities of the upright struts t5 are joined together by diagonally disposed trusses 6.9 and 10, the latter being secured to the bards andxthe struts 65 by welding or other suitable means.

Further reinforcement is provided in the form of gusset strips or members ll, which are joined to the mid portions of the trusses 69 and H1 and to the upper ends of the upright struts 85, A further reinforcing means is provided for the frame, which includes horizontaly disposed bracing members 12, which are joined to mid .points of trusses 5.9 and it and By thi arrangement an extremely strong and stable means is provided for supporting the flat metal blanks prior to their being formed-into tubular configurations.

The plates 16D and 51 are eachprovided with a longitudinally extending recess, within which is disposed a hardened plate [3 for the purpose of resisting Wear as the metal blanks slide upon the plates f3 as they enter the forming rolls.

Supported .upon the plates 5!] and El are gaging strips M and "f5, each of the strips being formed The gaging strips 14 and I5 are arranged to be so cured to the plates 60 and 6.! by means of securing .bolts 18, the latter passing through the slots and "ii and-extending into threaded openings formed in the platesBB and 6!. The slots i5 and 1.! provide for transverse adjustmentof the plates to accommodate strips or blanks of different widths for producing tubes of di-fierent sizes. Adjustment of these strips may be attained by manipulation of the securing bolts i8.

Means :are associated with the strip support ing table arranged to move the strips or blanks along the table and into engagement with the forming rolls. To this end there is disposed between and beneath the table plates as M a pair of supporting blocks or members upon each of which is supported a guide member 65 having :inverted T-shaped recess formed therein.

:Slidably disposed in said recesses in blocks 81 is :a longitudinally extending ram or bar 83 having across sectional contour adapted to be snugly,

81, the latter extending through the abutment, and through the cooperation of a nut 83 the abutment 86 may be adjusted longitudinally of the ram 83 and locked in any position therealong by tightening the nut .88. By this means various lengths of metal blanks may be utilized for :making tubes of different lengths. i

Means are providedfor automatically moving the ram or bar 83 longitudinally for the purpose of moving the metal blanks or strips into the forming rolls. Secured to the lower surface of the ram 83 by means of screws 91 is a bracket 92, the latter being formed with a depending portion 93. Mounted upon the transversely extending bar 66 is a flanged fitting 94, which support a cylinder 95 of a fluid operated servo-motor 9B. Reciprocally disposed within the cylinder-95 is a piston 9'! secured to the inner end of a piston rod 98. The other end of cylinder .95 is provided with a fitting 99, having a boss portion let! which contains a stuffing .glandinot shown) for securing a fiuid tight joint around the piston rod 98. The outer end of piston rod 98 is threaded and extends through an opening inthe depending yet slidably, received into the recesses formed in ..ment transversely on the ram. The ram 83 is provided with an inverted T-shaped slot'8ii, which is adapted to receive the head portion of a. bolt portion 93 of bracket 92. Lock nuts in! and .282 are disposed at either side of portion 93 for fixedly securing the piston rod to the bracket '82. The fittings 9 3 and 99 are provided with openings to accommodate fittings adapted to convey air or other fluid under pressure to and from the cylinder in order to actuate the piston and hence move the ram 83 and abutment 34 carried thereby.

The metal blank or strip supporting means is also inclusive of an anti-friction roller for .supporting and guiding the blanks into the form rolls. In this connection there is provided a bracket Hill, secured to the bar 56 by means zo'f bolts Hit, the bracket being formed with two upwardly extending spaced projections foil. The projections are provided with aligned openings arranged to receive a stub shaft Hi3, which :is

held in fixed position in projections 589 by means of lock screws 1 I l. Disposed between the-projec tions H39 and journaled for rotation upon the stub shaft HD is a roller l l2, the peripheral surface thereof being arranged to engage and support the metal blanks as they enter the form .roll mechanism.

The associated mechanisms heretofore described are carried by the 'frame portion ll by means of bolts Hit which pass through openings formed in the upright struts '65. The bolts extending into threaded openings formed inst-he frame portion II. t

The initial step in the formation of the flat strips of metal in producing tube constructions is performed by aseries of juxtaposed sets of form rolls. In the particular embodiment of my invention illustrated, four sets of form rolls are employed to secure the desired edge configurations for the strips of metal. In addition, there is provided a set of feed rolls for feeding, guiding and retaining the strip improper relation to the forming rolls during the configuration operations performed on the edges of the strip.

.All of thesets of forming rolls and feed. rolls are driven from the shaft 5.9 throughreduction gearing from the motor 43. The shaft :iscom nected by trains of spur gears so as to drive-all of the form rolls and the .feedrolls attire propel speeds to process the metal strips.

As shown in Figures 2, 3, 5, 8, 9 and .24, there is mounted upon the-member or bracket 2'?! a block or member 1 IE, which forms a journal block having a plurality of openings, each of which receives and retains a bearing bushing I I 1 to facilitate the mounting of the shafts carrying the feed and form rolls. Spaced laterally from the block H6 is a second block I20, which is provided with a base portion I2 I, the latter being in the form of a, plate which is welded to the block I29. The base portion I2I is configurated to rest upon and be supported by the boss portions I22, formed on the bracket 21. The base portion I2I is provided with slots I23 which are adapted to accommodate securing bolts I24 for adjusting the block I 20 with respect to its support. The upper edge surfaces of each of the blocks H6 and I20 are formed with projecting tangs I25.- Respectively disposed above each block is a second member or block I29 and I30 which blocks form journal supports for the uppermost feeding and forming rolls. Each of the blocks I29 and I30 is formed with a central recess or depression of a dimension to receive the tangs I25 formed on blocks II 6 and I20, said tangs and recess construction serving to maintain the sets of blocks in proper aligned relationship.

As viewed in Figures 3 and 9 the extreme left hand set of rolls I32 and I3I are feed rolls for the purpose of feeding and retaining the metal strips as they subsequently pass through the forming rolls. The upper and lower feed rolls I3I and I32 are mounted respectively on shafts I33 and I34, and are keyed thereto by suitable means. The shafts carrying the feed rolls and other shafts carrying forming rolls are adapted to be driven through gear trains which will be hereinafter described. The feed rolls I32 are provided with tenon or journal portions I39, which are mounted in bearing bushings I40, fixed in the blocks I20 and I30 and provided with flanges I 4| Disposed at one side of the blocks I20 and I 30 and surrounding the journal portions I39 are thrust washers I42. The journal portions I39 of the rollers I 32 terminate in threaded tenon portions I43, each tenon being arranged to receive a pair of lock nuts I44, which may be adjusted and locked to pre-determine the clearance permitted to the rolls I32, so that they will revolve freely but without substantial endwise movement.

Disposed adjacent the feed rolls I3I and I32 are the sets of forming rolls I50, II, I52 and I53 for imparting a particular configuration to the opposite edge portions of the blank S. These forming rolls are particularly shown in Figures 3 and 15. The forming rolls I50 and I53 are secured to and driven by a shaft I54 while the forming rolls I5I and I52 are secured to and .driven by the shaft I55. The shaft I 54 is journaled in bearings mounted in blocks I29 and I30 in the same manner asshaft I33 is mounted in .said blocks while shaft I55, carrying form rolls I5I and I52, is journaled in bearings in the same manner as shaft I34 carrying the lowermost feed rolls is journaled in bearings mounted in blocks H6 and I20. The form rolls I52 and I53 are secured against endwise movement in the same manner as feed rolls I32. The strip or blank S after passing through the form rolls I50, I5I, I52 and I53 has the edge portions thereof configurated to the formation determined by the shape of the feed rolls, as shown in Figure 15.

The next operation performed upon the blank S is accomplished by the second set of form rolls.

- shown in Figure 16, the form rolls I60, I8I, I62

and I63 being arranged to further bend and configurate the edge portions of the strip S. The

upper rolls I and I63 are mounted upon a shaft I64 while the lower rolls I6I and I62 are mounted upon a shaft I65, the mounting arrangement being -"similar to the mounting arrangement of form rolls I50 through I53 inclusive.

The third set of form rolls for further configurating the edge portions of the blank S, is shown in Figure 1'7. The form rolls I89; I10, HI and I12 performing this operation are arranged in pairs, the rolls I69 and I12 being mounted upon and driven by shaft I13, while rolls I10 and HI aremounted upon and driven by a shaft The fourth and last stage of forming rolls for conflgurating the edge portions of the blank S are shown in Figure 18. The rolls I18, I19, I80 and I8I are arranged in pairs, the rolls I18 and NH being mounted upon and driven by a shaft I82, while rolls I19 and I80 are mounted upon and driven by shaft I83. The formation or contour of the strip S, as it is extruded from the last set of form rolls is shown in Figure 19.

All of the feed and form rolls are driven through gearings associated with the motor driven shaft 50. As particularly shown in Fig ure 8, the spur gear I16 on shaft 50 is in mesh with spur gears I81 and I88. The gear I81 is meshed with an intermediary gear I90, mounted upon a shaft I9I, while gear I88 is meshed with a gear I92 mounted upon shaft I93. Gear I drives a gear I94 mounted upon shaft I55, gear I94 in turn driving an intermediary gear I95 mounted upon shaft I96 the intermediary gear I95 driving a gear I91 mounted upon shaft I34. Gear I 92 meshes with and drives a gear I98 mounted upon shaft I83. The gears I91, I94, I31, I88 and I98 are respectively in mesh with gears 200, 20I, 202, 283 and 204 for driving the upper feed rolls and the upper sets of metal forming rolls which are mounted on the shafts I54, I64, I13 and I82.

Means are provided to permit vertical movement of the upper sets of feed and form rolls relative to the lower sets of rolls in the event that an imperfect or irregular strip or blank of metal is passing through the rolls. To accomplish this, the blocks II 6 and I20 are provided with threaded openings I15, which are aligned respectively with openings arranged in blocks I29 and I30 which sets of openings are each adapted to accommodate a bolt I11. The openings in blocks I29 and I30 communicate with enlarged cylindrical recesses I84 in which are disposed expansive coil springs I85, washers I86 being disposed between the heads of bolts I11 and the springs whereby downwardly acting pressure or force is exerted by the springs I85. In the event that the rolls encounter an irregular or thickened blank the springs I85 will be compressedto permit the blocks I29 and I30 and the rolls carried thereby to move upwardly with respect to blocks I I6 and the lower rolls so that no damage will result to the mechanism. The tangs I25, cooperating with the recesses formed on the blocks I29 and I30, prevent lateral disarrangement of the mechanism even though the blocks I29 and I30 are capable of upward movement relative to the lower blocks.

The means supporting the feed and form rolls are adjustable transversely of the machine in order to provide for blanks of different widths for fabricating tubes of different diameters. As has been previously described herein and shown in Figure 5, the bracket 21 is arranged for adjustment transversely of the machine through the manipulation of the threaded member 3| through the application of a crank to the polygonal portion 38 of said member. As theblock I I6 is secured to the bracket 21 through the medium of securing bolts H9, and as the base portion I2I of block I20 is mounted upon the bracket 21, adjustment of the bracket will move the feed and form roll assemblies in a transverse direction depending upon the direction of rotation of threaded member 3I.

The block I20 is also transversely adjustable relative to the bracket 21 whereby the feedand form rolls adjacent the blocks I29 and I30 may be adjusted with respect to the feed and form rolls adjacent the blocks H and I29. To this end the bracket 21 is provided with a raised boss portion 201 upon which is mounted a member 208 secured to the bracket 21 by means of screws 209. The upwardly extending portion of member 208 is bored to accommodate a shaft 2 I0, and disposed at either side of member 208 are the col- 1ar's'2II and 2I2 surrounding the shaft and secured thereto by means of dowels 2 I4. The outer extremity of shaft 2I0 is formed with a squared or polygonal shaped portion 2I5 adapted to receive a crank or other tool for rotating the shaft 2I0. The opposite end portion of the shaft is threaded as at 2I1 and projects through a threaded opening formed within a hardened bushing 2I3, the bushing being fixedly mounted in an opening contained in the block I20. The bushing 2 I 0 is formed with a threaded tenon 2 I9, adapted to accommodate a split clamping nut 220. A clamping screw 22I is associated with the clamping nut 220 to secure the latter in adjusted position on the tenon 2I9 to maintain the bush ing 2I8 in the block I20. The blocks vI20, I30 and the form and feed rolls adjacent thereto may bemoved toward'or away from the feed and form rolls adjacent blocks I I0 and I29 by manipulation or rotation of shaft 2I0, so that the rolls may accommodate different widths of strip material being processed. The form and feed rolls adjacent the blocks I20 and I30 are provided with set screws for securing the same to their respectivershafts. The set screws may be released or backed-off so that during adjustment of blocks I20 and. I30, the form and feed rolls adjacent thereto may slide upon their supporting shafts. After proper adjustment is made the set (screws in the feed and form rolls may be drawn up to fixedly secure the rolls to their respective shaf Means are provided for securing or looking the bracket 2'. and the block I20 in adjusted positions. In the embodiment illustrated these means are independently operable. Arranged within the hollow frame casting II in the forward portion thereof is a handwheel 225 which is secured to a vertically disposed shaft 226 by means of a securing pin or dowel 221. The upper portion of the member 226 isthreaded into a threaded openingformed in a flanged bushing 229 which is secured to the base .plate 23 by means of suitable screws. The upper wall portion 230 of the frame casting II is formed with an elongated slot 23I through which extends the shaft 223, the slot providing for transverse move-- ment of base plate 23 and shaft 226 relative to the frame casting II. The base plate 23 and structure mounted thereon is guided by means of the ways 24 shown in Figure 2. A spacing collar or bushing '233is disposed between the handwheel 225 and thelower surface of wall portion 230 to provide a suitable hardened Wear resisting element between these parts. Thus by 10 manipulating the handwheel 225 the base plate 23 may be securely locked to the frame casting II or released therefrom depending upon the direction of rotation of handwheel 225.

The locking means for blocks I20 and I30 is inclusive of a shaft 235 having its upper end threaded into an opening 231 formed in block I20. The lower end of shaft 236 is fixedly secured to a handwheel 238 by means of a pin 239. A spacing collar240of hardened metal is disposed between the handwheel 230 and the lower surface of wall portion 230 of frame casting II. The wall portion 230 is formed with a second elongated slot MI, and the portion I22 of bracket 21 is provided with a similarly shaped elongated slot 242 to accommodate the shaft 236 in its transverse movement. The block I20 may be securely locked to bracket 21, and bracket 21 tightly clamped to the base plate 23 by manipulating the handwheel 238 in the proper direction. If it is desired to move either the bracket 21 or the block I29, or both, it is necessary to release the handwheel 238 in order that the base portion i2! of block I20 may be moved laterally upon the bracket 21. It should be noted that in order to effect transverse adjustment of bracket 21, both locking means must be released through the manipulation of handwheels 225 and 238 in. order that the member 3! may be rotated for securing the transverse adjustment.

The frame casting II is provided at its front and rear walls with openings to facilitate access to the handwheels 225 and 233. These openings are closed by means of covers or closures 245 and 243. Each of the covers is provided at its lower edge with lugs 243 which take-over the lower edge walls bounding the openings. The closures 245 and 246 are formed with openings to accommodate winged screws 250 which are threaded into suitable openings formed in the base casting I I above the access openings to secure the covers in closed position. The frame casting II is provided with an extension portion 22, providing a support for a means to convey the metal strips or blanks S, after they have been processed through the forming rolls, to a station where the blanks are bent or formed into tubular configurations. Mounted upon portion 22 is a pair of spaced longitudinally extending bars or strips 255 which are secured to raised boss portions 256 of the table portion 22 by means of bolts 251. Each of the members 255 is provided with transverse slots 258 through which the bolts 251 extend so that members 255 may be adjusted transversely to accommodate strips of different widths. Positioning or gaging cleats 260 are engageable with members 255, the cleats being secured to portion 22 by means of screws 26L As shown in Figure 12, the cleats 260 are formed with a plurality of facets so that by releasing screws 2BI the cleats may be rotated to bring a different set of facets in a position tobe engaged by the bars or strips 255. As the facets are arranged at different distances from the axes of the securing screws, their adjustment determines the relative positions of the bars 255 to accommodate the latter to blanks of different widths. Secured to each of the strips 255 and co-extensive therewith are the guide strips 264, and arranged in engagement with guide. strips 264 are supporting ledges or members 255 for supporting the blanks as they are extruded from the feed rolls. The supporting members 2G5 and the guide strips 264 are secured to the members 255 by means of a plurality of screws 266. t

Means are provided for moving the strips S from the form rolls to the bending station. This means is inclusive of a chamber or cylinder 269 equipped with cylinder heads 218 and 211, the head 218 being secured to an end wall of the frame portion 14 while the other end of the cylinder is not secured to a support. The cylinder head 218 is secured to the frame wall portion by means of screws 212. Slidably mounted within the cylindef 269 is a piston 214 and cbnnected to the piston 214 is a piston rod or ram 215 which projects exteriorly of the frame portion 14 through a suitable stuffing or sealing gland (not shown) contained within the cylinder head 218. The cylinder heads 218 and 21l are provided with suitable tubular connections to facilitate the flow of fluid to and from the cylinder 269. While any suitable fluid may be employed fer actuating the piston 214, I have found that compressed air is an effective force transmitting medium as it may be rapidly moved into and out of the cylinder, although oil or other fluid may be utilized if desired. The piston rod 215 is threaded at its outer extremity and receives a laterally extending arm 216, which is arranged for limited adjustment along the piston rod 215 and is adapted to be locked in adjusted position by means of securing nuts 211.

Disposed in parallel relation to and co-extensive with piston rod 215, is a member or rod 218 which is fixedly connected to the arm 216 by means of a bolt 219. Suitable supporting means is provided for the member 218 so as to provide for longitudinal movement thereof. The portion 22 of frame member I 1 supports brackets 234, 285 and 286. The bracket 284 is formed with a boss portion 281 which is bored to receive a stub shaft 288 upon which is journaled a roller 289 having a concave periphery to engage and support the rod or member 218. The bracket 285 supports a stub shaft 298 upon which is rotatably mounted a roller 291, similar to roller 289, and serving as a support ,for the member 218. The bracket 286 is formed with a longitudinally extending arm 292, the end portion of which projects through an opening formed in an end wall secured to the frame portion 14, and supports a stub shaft 293 upon which is journaled a roller 294 of the same configuration as roller 291 and serves as additional support for the rod 218.

The rod 218 is formed adjacent one end with a transversely disposed slot 291 within which extends a transversely projecting leg 298 of an L- shaped member 299, the leg portion 298 being fixedly secured in the slot 291 by means of rivets 388. ,Pivotly mounted upon the lower portion of member 299, upon a pivot shaft 381, is an arm 382 formed with a pawl or ledge 383. A contractile spring 384, having its ends respectively secured to member 299 and to arm 382, functions to resiliently urge the arm 382 in a direction to cause the ledge or pawl tooth 383 formed thereon to engage with the metal blanks to be conveyed to the bending station. The extent of pivotal movement of arm382, under the influence of spring 384 is limited by means of an adjustable abutment 381, which is held in adjusted position by means of a screw 388.

The mechanisms for performing the bending, interlocking the edge portions of the blanks and seam closing operations in the present embodiment are operated from a power source in the form of an electrically energizable motor 311, which is supported by means mounted upon the frame portion 14. As shown in Figure 6, the motor housing is formed with foot portions 312,

1-2 which are secured by means of bolts 313 to a plate 314. Welded or otherwise secured to plate 314 is a pair of spaced brackets 315 and disposed between the brackets is a member 316 having upwardly extending portions of the member and the brackets 315 being provided with aligned bores adapted to receive pivot shafts 311. The member 316 is secured to a plate 318 by means of suitable securin screws 319. The plate 318 serves as an upper closure for the frame housing 14 as well as a means for supporting the motor 311.

Means are provided for adjusting or regulating the position of the motor to regulate the tension on the power transmitting belts 322. To accomplish this the plate. 314 is, provided with a threaded opening which receives a threaded stud 323, the latter having an internal socket (not shown) adapted to accommodate a tool for adjustin the stud 323 relative to the plate 314. The lower end of the stud engages the upper surface of plate 318 and in this manner the plate 314 may be swung about the axes of shafts 311 to adjust the position of the motor 31 1. The stud 323 may be locked in its adjusted position by means of nut 324.

The motor shaft 325 supports a multi-grooved pulley or sheave 326 arranged to be driven by shaft 325 through a key 321. The belt arrangement 322 is of the multi-V-type, there being three belts in the embodiment illustrated, the belts engaging in the grooves in the driving pulley 326. The belts 322 take over and engage a comparatively large driven sheave or pulley 338 which is mounted upon shaft 331 and adapted to rotate the shaft through a medium of a key 332. The difference in the diameters of the driving and driven pulleys 326 and 338 provides that the driven pulley rotates at a much lesser speed than that of driving pulley 326. The driven pulley 338 is prevented from endwise movement on shaft 331 by means of a collar 333, which is secured upon the shaft by means of a pin 334. The shaft 331 is journaled in bearings 335 mounted in boss portions 336 and 331 formed on end plates 338 and 339, the latter being secured to the frame portion 14 by suitable screws. Mounted upon the shaft 331 adjacent the boss 331 is a collar 348 secured to the shaft by means of a set screw 341 serving in cooperation with the hub portion of the driven pulley 338 to prevent endwise movement of the shaft. Also mounted upon the shaft 7 331 and adjacent collar 348 is a. driving pinion 342, the latter having a hub portion 343 to accommodate set screws 344 for holding the pinion in secure engagement with the shaft. A key 345 is interposed between the shaft 331' and the pinion to insure a positive drive.

Ssecured to the end plate structure 339 by means of screws 349 is an arm or bracket 358. The terminus 351 of arm 358 is adapted to support a journal box 352 which has boss portion 353 secured to terminus portion 351 by means of screws 354. The journal box 352 contains a bearing bushing 355 which journally supports a shaft 356. Also secured to the end plate 339 is a bracket 351 which is bored to accommodate a bearing bushing 358, the latter forming a second bearing support for the shaft 356. The bracket 351 is fixed to the plate 339 by means of screws 359., The shaft 356 extends through the frame portion or housing 14 and is journaled at the other end in a bearing mounted in a bracket 363 mounted on the wall 338 of frame portion 14. The shaft 356 is carried intermediate its endsin l3 bearings 360 mounted upon spaced. vertical struts 36L As shown in Figure 2; the drive pinion 342 mounted upon shaft 33! is in mesh with a driven spur gear wheel 366, the latter having a hub por tion which is-interiorly bored to receive the cylin drical portion 361 of a member 368. The member 368 has a projecting portion 369, and the web portion of the gear Wheel 366 and projecting portion 369 have aligned openings adapted to receive a shear pm 319, the latter having a reduced section in alignment with the juxtaposed surfaces of wheel 366 and member 368 so that in the event of overload of the mechanism-associated with the cam shaft 356 the pin 319 will be. sheared or broken and in this manner damage to the machine is prevented.

Suitable single revolution clutch mechanism is contained within a drum-like clutch housing 313 and the mechanism therein includes a member having a projecting cylindrical tenon 314 which is received into a cylindrical interior bore in the member 368. The tenon portion 314 of the clutch mechanism is adapted to be rotated by member .368 through a key 315.

The clutch mechanism contained within housing 313 is inclusive of a member 316 which is adapted to be driven through the clutch mechanism and imparts rotation to the cam shaft 356 by means of a key 311. In the arrangement of my invention an electrically controlled mechanism is provided for actuating the clutch mechanism 313. As shown in Figures 2, and 25, there is secured to the bracket or arm 359 a supporting member 318 upon which is mounted a solenoid mechanism having a stationary field 319, a coil 390 and a vertically movable armature 38l. A link 382 is connected at one end with the armature 38! by means of a pin 383, and at its other end to the short arm of a bell crank 384 by means of a pin 385. The bell crank 384 is pivotally supported upon the arm or member 350 by a pivot pin 386. The other arm of the bell crank extends upwardly and is bored midway to accommodate a pin 389. The pin is adapted to receive a collar 399 which is drilled transversely to accommodate a rod 39] which terminates at one end in an eye connected to a contractile coil spring 392, the other end of the spring being anchored as at 393 to the arm 350. A portion of the rod 39! is threaded to accommodate an adjusting nut 395 for regulating the tension of spring 392 which serves to resiliently urge the bell crank 384 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 5. The upper terminus 396 of the long arm formed on the bell crank engages a ledge 391 formed on the clutch member 394, the bell crank forming means for facilitating the operation of the clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism is of the socalled single revolution over-running roller type of conventional design and will, therefore, not be described in further detail. When the solenoid mechanism actuates the bell crank 384 to move the terminus 396 of an arm thereof out of contact with ledge 391, the clutch mechanism then becomes automatically operative to rotate the cam shaft 356 through one revolution. When the solenoid mechanism controlling the bell crank 384 is de-energized the spring 392 swings the bell crank until the terminus 396 thereof is again moved into the locus of movement of the clutch mechanism so that re-engagement of terminus 396 with the ledge 391 disengages the clutch mechanism.

I have found it desirable in order to provide for 14 smoothness. of operation of the cam shaft to incorporate a friction brake mechanism associated with the cam shaft for the purpose, among others, of minimizing the effects of inertia of the parts or elements carried by the cam shaft and: thus provide for a more accurate control of moving elements of the machine. To this end there is mounted upon one end of the cam shaft 356 a drum 492 secured thereto by means of a key 483. Substantially encircling the drum 492 are seini-annularly shaped brake shoes 494 and 485;

The brake shoe 494 is formed at one end with a,

pair of spaced lugs or projections 406 and brake shoe 405 is formed with a single projection 4.01 which extends between the projections 496 on. the other shoe. Projections 486 and 401 are bored to accommodate a pin 408 which pivotally connects the brake shoes together. The lower brake shoe 405 is formed with a projecting lug 409 which .is bored to accommodate a pin M0 for anchoring the brake mechanism to the bracket l, the latter being fixedly secured to the arm 359 as shown in Figure 2. The other extremities of the brake shoes 494 and 495 are respectively formed with projecting lugs 412 and M3 which are bored to accommodate a bolt M4. The bolt 454 is provided with a threaded. nut 415 and inierposed between a washer 41.6, adjacent nut 315, is an expansive coil spring 4i 1: surrounding the bolt ll l. The spring 411. serves to resiliently bias the brake shoes toward one another, theforce exerted by the, spring being adjustable by manipulation of the nut 415. The drum 4192 is preferably perforated with a series of openings 458 to facilitate the movement of air therethrough to efi ect cooling of the drum 4B2.

Referring to Figure 2', themember 392 is actuated by the injection of air or other fluid into the cylinder 269, to effect a movement or conveyance of a blank which has been processedthrough the forming rolls to a station Where bending and seaming of the strip or blank to form a tube is to be accomplished. This mechanism is contained within the frame housing portions l2 and i4. With particular reference to Figure 7, the mechanism is arranged to bend or form the blank to a configuration of circular cross section and includes means for interlocking or inter-engaging the pre-configurated edges of the strip, and means for completing the seaming operation whereby the exterior surface of the formed tube is substantially smooth and cylindrical.

As the blank is conveyed from the forming rolls to the bending station it is moved onto plates or members 429 and 426 which form temporary supporting means for the blank until the bending operation is initiated. The plate 425 is mounted upon a supporting member 421 and is backed by a hardened abutment bar 428. The

- plate 426 is supported upon a member 433 and is backed by a hardened abutment plate 43ll, the plates being held in position by means of screws 432. Means are provided, carried by the members 42? and 439, for accommodating blanks of different widths. To this end, there is mounted upon members 421 and 439 longitudinally extending bars 433 and 434. Each of the bars 433 and 434 is formed with comparatively short transversely disposed slots 435 through which bolts 436' extend, which bolts are threaded into suitable openings in the members 421. and 433 to secure the bars 433 and 434 thereto. Means are provided for pre-determining different positions of adjustment for the bars 433 and 434 in the form of sets of gage blocks 438 and 439. As will be seen from Figure. 12, each of the gage blocks is secured to its supporting bar by means of a single bolt 445 so that upon loosening the bolts 440, the gage blocks 438 and 439 may be rotated to bring different facets thereof into cooperative association with the rear edges of the gage bars 433 and 434 to pre-determine the distance between the gage bars to accommodate blanks of different widths for forming tubes of different diameters. It will be noticed from Figure 12. that each gage block is provided with several facets of different dimension as measured from the axis of bolt 448 so that the positions of bar 433 and 434 are dependent upon and may be changed by shifting the relative positions of the gage blocks 438 and 439 to move a different set of facets into position for backing the bars. The bolts or screws 448 may then be drawn up to hold the gage blocks in adjusted position, and the bolts 436 drawn up to insure against any relative movement of bars 433 and 434. Respectively secured to the bars 433 and 434 are hardened wear resistant plates 442 and 443, which serve as guides to properly and accurately position the blanks for processing.

The plates 425 and 426 and elements associated therewith are movable transversely of the machine for purposes to be hereinafter explained. To facilitate such movement there is secured to the member 421 transversely extending bars 441 which have central tang portions 444 resting in reciprocally shaped recesses formed in bars 445 which are secured to a machine frame 12 by means of screws 446. porting plate assemblies are guided in a transverse direction. The supporting member 438 is formed to accommodate transversely extending bars 448 which have projecting portions slidably mounted in transversely extending recesses or ways formed in the upper wall portion of frame I2. By this means the bar 426 and its supporting mechanism are accurately guided for movement in a transverse direction.

Mounted upon. each of plates 421 and 448 are brackets 458 which are secured to the relatively slidable members 421 and 436 by means of machine screws 45l. Each of the brackets 450 is formed with a pair of spaced projections and disposed between each set of projections is a link 453 pivotally connected to the brackets by means of pivot pins 454. The opposite ends of the links 453 are pivotally connected to the depending extremities of arms 455 by means of pivot pins 456. There is provided a pair of rocker shafts 451 and 458 which are journaled in suitable bearings 459 carried in the end plates 338 and 339 secured to the frame 14. Each of shafts 451 and 458 is adapted to support a set of the arms 455, the arms being fixedly secured to rotate with the shafts by means of keys 468. Also mounted upon shafts 451 and 458 are upwardly projecting arms 463, which are keyed to the shafts by keys 464. The upper portions of arms 463 are bifurcated to receive or accommodate members 465. The furcations of arms 463 and members 465 are provided with aligned portions to receive connecting pins 486. The members 465 are bored and threaded to receive the threaded extremities of rods 461 and 468, the rods being adjustable with respect to the member 465 and arranged to be locked in adjusted position by means of securing nuts 469. As particularly shown in the sectional view, Figure 11, the rod 468 is threaded at its opposite end as at 418 and is received into a threaded open- By this means the suping formed in a block 411, the rod being held in the block by means of a lock nut 412. Secured to opposite side walls of block 411 and extending upwardly is a pair of elements 413 arranged in parallelism which are secured to the block by means of screws 414, the upper extremities of elements 413 being secured to a tie bar 415 by means of screws 416. The inner opposed portions of elements 413 are recessed longitudinally forming ways which slidably fit the reciprocally forming. ways which slidably fit the reciprocally shaped edge walls of a block or member 411. The block 411 is provided with a central aperture, through which extends the cam shaft 356. Supported upon the block 411 is a pin 418 upon which is revolubly mounted a cam follower or roller 419 which cooperates with cam contours or surfaces 488 and 481 formed on a cam member 482, the latter surrounding the cam shaft 356. Surrounding the cam shaft 356 is a collar 483 which is adapted to rotate with the cam shaft'by means of a key 484, the key being maintained in proper position in the collar by means of a bolt 485. The collar 483 is provided with a series of circumferential slots adapted to receive bolts extending into threaded openings formed in the cam member 482, forming a driving means whereby the cam member will be rotated with the collar 483 and cam shaft 356. The collar 483 and the means for securing same to the cam member 485 are substantially identical with the collar 513' and securing bolts 529 shown in Figure 7. The contour of cam surfaces 488 and 481 is such that they influence movement of the cam follower 419 to move the block 411 longitudinally of the ways or elements 413 and through rod 468, member 465, arms 463, 455 and link 453, the bending plate 426 may be moved transversely of the machine for purposes to be hereinatfer explained.

As the block 411, cam 482 and collar 483' are substantially identical a description of one set of these elements will suffice. The only difference between the cam members 482 and 482 is that the cam contours formed in cam 482 are modilied to cause a transverse movement of the bending plate 425 slightly out of synchronism with the movement of bending plate 426 for purposes to be hereinafter explained.

Means are provided to facilitate the formation of the blank S into tubular configuration in the form of an arbor or mandrel about which the tube may be bent or formed. One of the pertinent features is'the provision of such a mandrel adapted to move with the tube being formed during the seaming operation and so mounted or supported that the finished tube may be stripped or extruded from the mandrel by automatic means. To this end there is provided an arbor or mandrel 496, preferabl in the form of a solidbar of metal, of a length suflicient to accommodate the longest tube which it is desired to form upon my machine. The mandrel 498 is supported at one end by means of clamping blocks 49l and 492, each block being formed with a semi-cylindrical recess to accommodate the end portion of the mandrel. The mandrel is prevented from relative rotation by means of a key 493. The clamping blocks 49l and 492 are secured together by means of screws 494. The upper block 492 is provided with a central vertically dispose-d bore adapted to snugly receive a tenon 495, formed on the lower end of a rod 496, the tenon 495 being fixedly secured in the block 492 by means of a in 491. The upper end of the rod is formed with a tenon 498 which is secured by means of a 

